#16 NW Missouri State Defeats UNK, 14-0

The 16th-ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcats picked off three passes and ran for 172 yards to down Nebraska-Kearney, 14-0, Saturday afternoon in Maryville.

The 'Cats (7-1, 6-0) win a seventh straight game and avenge a loss to the Lopers (5-4, 3-4) last year.

On a dreary fall "Homecoming" day, the two teams combined for seven turnovers (three fumbles and four interceptions). The Loper defense, with its back against the wall, stopped Northwest at the four-, 11- and 46-yard lines to start the day and it was a game until midway through the fourth quarter. However, a 13-play, 97-yard drive gave the 'Cats a 14-0 lead and then they ran off the final 6:42 off the clock.

"This team has a lot of warriors and guys that play hard. I thought our defense had as good as performance as I've seen in my years as a coach, in a circumstance where we're on the road and against a really good team that's been hotter than fish grease ," said Loper head coach Ryan Held on the KRVN Radio post-game show. "They gave us every opportunity." 

Veteran quarterback Chris Ruhnke was 12 of 12 for 121 yards and ran twice for 17 yards. He guided the 97-yard drive with a couple of big completions. None was bigger than a 24-yard pitch-and-catch to Maddix Morrison 4th & 3 from the Loper 31-yard line. Sophomore back Teshaun Porter that capped things with a seven-yard run to finish the scoring. Northwest's other scoring drive covered 73 yards in six plays in the second quarter. A 15-yard personal foul call on the Lopers aided the drive. Additionally, redshirt freshman quarterback Zechariah Owens had a 21-yard run and a 33-yard completion on the drive. However, he also lost three fumbles on the day.

"We didn't take advantage of our opportunities on offense. Our punting game was elite, and Marty (Mormino) had an incredible game," said Held. "In the early going (after the three defensive stops), we were a little backed up. We eventually started to change the field position."  

UNK struggled against a Northwest defense that gave up just three points to Fort Hays State last Saturday. The Lopers tallied 111 yards over 49 plays; Northwest was at 364 yards on 73 plays.

The defense was paced by Texas junior corner Ja'Mareion Gipson (seven solo tackles, one pass break up), Kearney senior end Jack Johnson (seven tackles; two TFL) and Iowa senior safety CJ Kuehl (five tackles, one INT and one fumble recovery). Finally, Mormino had a 46.5 average in eight attempts. 

The 'Cats got 65 rushing yards on 19 attempts from back Quincy Torry with the two QB's going a combined 17 of 34 for 192 yards. Finally, Morris had six grabs for 65 yards.

"This one is going to sting. Last time we were here, they beat us 56-7. Before that, with a playoff team, it was worse. We had to win it in the fourth quarter," said Held. "We had a 30-yard pass play called back due to a penalty and we couldn't overcome that kind of play. We had a lot of third and managebles which is what we wanted."

UNK hosts Central Missouri next Saturday. The Mules (3-5, 3-3) fell today at home to Emporia State, 31-27.